State Superintendent supports ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in Washington

OLYMPIA—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced on Monday his support of state legislation that would end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Washington. Reykdal is the most prominent elected official thus far to announce support for the effort that will be introduced during the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January. […]

Reader Opinion: Dave Somers wants the Sound Transit gavel back

Joe A. Kunzler, aka Mr. Go Sound Transit, has a few thoughts on Dave Somers being the current only applicant for Sound Transit Board Chair.  One can watch the Sound Transit Executive Committee deliberate here – if you can call it deliberation. Kunzler says firmly, “Frankly, 2017 is calling and the Sound Transit community needs to please […]

Free post-holiday recycling & tree-cycling in Marysville Jan. 4

MARYSVILLE—After the holiday gifts are open, what do you do with all the cardboard boxes and Styrofoam? The City of Marysville is hosting a free post-holiday recycling collection from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at 1049 State Ave. in the south parking lot (former City Hall).  Marysville Sunrise Rotary and other community […]

Auditions now open to join Seattle Men’s Chorus

SEATTLE—Seattle Men’s Chorus is once again opening its doors to new chorus members with auditions on Monday, January 6 from 6–9:30 p.m., and Saturday, January 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All participants are required to register online before auditioning. The Seattle Men’s Chorus is among the largest — and longest-running — LGBTQ-identified choruses […]

Lawmaker proposes reallocating sales taxes for transportation budget

OLYMPIA (The Center Square)—Washington lawmaker, Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, wants to shore up the state’s transportation budget by gradually increasing the proportion of sales taxes on vehicles currently dedicated to the general fund to be reallocated to the transportation budget over a six-year period. Proposed Senate Bill 5026 for the 2025 session offered by Senator King, […]

Making sense of Washington state’s multi-billion-dollar budget hole

OLYMPIA (The Washington Standard)—Washington state’s budget is, to put it nicely, in a world of hurt. There’s a big gap between what the state is collecting in taxes and what it needs to pay for its commitments in education, human services, health care, corrections and other day-to-day government operations. On paper, the chasm is billions […]

Firefighters respond to fatal house fire in Lynnwood

LYNNWOOD—A woman in her 80s died in a fire that destroyed a Lynnwood home Sunday. A man in his 90s was also evaluated by paramedics at the scene and treated for possible smoke inhalation. South County Fire firefighters responded just after 12 p.m., Sunday, December 15, to a report of flames coming from the two-story […]

Joint DHS/FBI statement on reports of drones in New Jersey

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security jointly issued a statement on December 12 on the reported sightings of drones in New Jersey: “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal […]

Ammonia leak leaves one fire fighter with mild injuries

MUKILTEO—One fire fighter suffered mild injuries after being exposed to ammonia when responding to a 3-alarm hazardous materials incident at the Pacific Seafood processing plant in Mukilteo on Friday morning. Mukilteo Fire Department along with the Mukilteo Police Department, South County Regional Fire Authority, Paine Field Fire, Everett Fire Department, Marysville Regional Fire Authority, Snohomish […]

‘Friday the 13th’ budget protest: County Exec will not sign Council-adopted budget

EVERETT—In a surprising use of his authority, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, known for his reserved and sagacious leadership, announced late Friday afternoon that he will not sign the $3.22 billion 2025-26 biennium Council-adopted budget. “Since receiving the budget from the County Council on November 27, my team and I have been carefully reviewing what […]